Super-sub Aaron Collins’ effort enough as Morecambe edge Port Vale

Posted Sunday, February 17, 2019 by PA

Super substitute Aaron Collins needed just eight minutes to make his mark in a Morecambe shirt as he scored the only goal of the game in a narrow 1-0 victory at Port Vale.

Tom Pope missed a first-half penalty as his wait for his 100th Vale goal went on.

Morecambe stopper Mark Halstead pulled off a string of fine saves to frustrate the hosts and keep the struggling Shrimpers in the hunt at Vale Park.

Steven Old conceded a penalty after tripping Mark Harris in the box after he was expertly found by Luke Joyce.

Prolific striker Pope was denied by a fantastic sprawling Halstead stop high to his left.

Down the other end, Carlos Mendes Gomes was superbly kept out by Scott Brown.

Halstead frustrated Pope once again with a low reaction stop tipping his back-post header wide before tipping James Gibbons’ curling effort past the post two minutes later.

After the break, a rasping Luke Hannant drive flicked the outside of the woodwork.

The Shrimpers stole the spoils against the run of play with 15 minutes left as Richard Bennett teed up debutant Collins to break his duck for the club after coming off the bench.